A performance evaluation of emerging Ethernet technologies: switched/high-speed/full-duplex Ethernet and Ethernet LAN emulation over ATM

The advent of switched LAN and ATM technology is dramatically altering today's networking environment. Given the preponderance of existing Ethernet networks today, high-speed, switched and/or full-duplex Ethernet and Ethernet LAN emulation over ATM are extremely important, as is bridging between Ethernet and ATM. We evaluate the performance of these newly emerging technologies, using measurements from actual Ethernet and ATM products. The specific technologies evaluated include: 10 and 100 Mbps Ethernet, switched or unswitched, half-duplex or full-duplex; Ethernet LAN emulation over ATM (with comparisons to token ring LAN emulation); bridging between Ethernet and ATM, comparing a native Ethernet server vs. an ATM server. A mathematical model is presented to explain observed performance.